Awning



March 23, 195 4 w, N J 2,672,928

' AWNING Filed June 17, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

JONATHAN W K\NG,JR.

A Tram/ March 23, 1954 J. w. KING, JR

AWNING 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed June 17, 1952 March 23, 1954 J. W.. KING, JR

AWNING s Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 17, 1952 m R w N m m V WK m Patented Mar. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AWNING Jonathan w. King, Jr., Niles, Ohio Application June 17, 1952, Serial No. 293,897

,8Claims. (o1. loo-62) My invention relates toawnings, more particularly. to awnings formed of metal or the like, andthe principal object of-my invention is to provide new and improved awningsoi the character described.-

1 Many prior attempts have been made to provide an awning structure formed of metal or the lik which wouldpossess' advantages not possessed bythe common-canvas awning- To date, however, themetal awnings which have had the widest commercial success fail to provide for adjustment. ofthe awningto satisfactorily vary lightand ventilationpassedthereby. Since an adjustable-metal awnin is *very desirable, it isapparent thatthe failure of adjustable metal awnings of the prior art to achieve commercial success may-be interpreted as afailuretoprovide suitable structure.- J

My invention provides =an-awning which is preferably formed. of metal and since itis not affected by weather, it-may be left permanently in place'and usedthroughout the year. The

awning may be manufactured and-distributedinexpensively since, with my inventionyitis not necessary to stockalargenumber of different parts in order .to accommodate "various sizes of windows. I. My improvedawnin -may beadjusted toprovide conventional awning protection for a window, andmay-be adjusted to provide freeentrance of air and light thereto, or adjusted to any intermediate-position therebetween. v a

These and other advantages will -become'ap= parent from'the description which follows and fromthe drawing forming a part of this appli' cation, and in these drawings:

Figure is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded ,perspective view of the preferred m d m nt o a detail of my invention, and

Figures is "affragmentary, side elevational view illustrating my invention applied to a verti cal structure such as a porch end drop, certain parts being broken away to-betterillustrate con- 1 Figure 1 is a side elevational 'view illustrating 2 struction and certain parts'being shown in another position by dot-dash lines.

Referring now tothe drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and4, it will be seen that my improved awning comprises a bracket l0 formed of legs II and I2 adapted to besecured to a supporting surface such as a window frame [3. For ordinary purposes, two brackets ID will be employed, one at each side .of the window frame. It is to be understood, however, that intermediate brackets could be employed in the event of an extremely long awning,.and these intermediate brackets, although perhaps slightly different in form, would act in manner similar to the brackets to be described. I

Since the two-brackets ordinarily used in my awnin construction are similar in structure and function, only one is herein shown and described, it beingunderstood that a description of one is equally applicable to the'other.

As previously mentioned, the bracket Ill comprises legs II and I2, and these legs are-presently preferably formed of metal and are of.

angular cross-section. The le -II is formed with a generally laterally-extending arcuate portion I4 which is adapted to be pivotally secured to the leg [2- at l5 (the purpose of this construction will later be described). Each leg provides a foot-like portion' I 8 adapted to lie against the supporting surface I3, and screws It may passthrough apertures in respective feet to secure the bracket to the supporting surface.

As best seen in Figures 1- and 3, interconnected links 16 forming lazy tongsare pivotally secured to the leg l2 at pointsll; An outer pivot 20 of each of the-links forming the lazy tong is adapted to pivotally carry a slat-2| and-an extension .of the leg I2 of the bracket- I0- is adapted to provide a pivot 22 ali ned with the pivots 20. The pivot 22 oftheleg-l2pivotally supports a master slat 23 which cooperateswith the slats 2! to form the window protective awning surface. I

Eachof the slats 2;| is--formed to provide a;

downwardlyturnedleading edge and an upwardly turned trailing edge, andeach slat has secured thereto a laterally projecting elongated finger 24 which extends beyondithe trailing edge of the In the embodiments-disclosed in Figures 1, 2, 3 and-6, each finger may have a portion.

slats.

thereof bent-over so asto lie inthe plane of the slat and thisfbenti-overportion may be spot Weld- I ed orrotherwise secured to the slat.

Ea hfin er 24,.flisapertured at a position intermediate the ends thereof for securing the finger and its attached'slat to a respective pivot" 20, and the free end of each finger 24 is apertured for a purpose later to appear. Master slat 23 is formed similar to slats 21; however, the trailing edge of slat 23 extends beyond its pivot '22. The finger 25 which secures slat 23 to the leg I2 is similar to the fingers 24 with the exception that it does not project beyond the pivot 22 and it additionally provides a tab for pivotal connection with a curved link 26.

As besteshownri-n Figures 1, 2"ande3yeach i? the pivots 22,. with the exception :Zof' the..1owermost pivot, have one end of a link 21 secured thereto.

The free ends of links 21 are pivotally securesd-- to respective adjoining free ends of fingers 2,4,, Secured to the pivot 22 is a link 28 similar in an respects to links 21, and the free eng.; 0f.-,li1; 5 A8.

is pivotally connected to the adjoining finger 24 as previously described. i v

The curved link 26, as mentioned aboute has one end thereof pivotally connected to a tab arr ed hyth fiueer .5." The .freeene of th link '25 "is pivotaily' securedwo. one of the lazy qns-..link .a l

tiltedto thei'leg 'LI'I "of the bracket "Wis a stationary slat 8 0" :which'hasan edge I formed in 'the same manner asthe leading "edges ofthe movable-slats. ""The' opposite edge ofthe' slat' 3ii may extendto the frame 1 t3 "and'any suitable rriean s may be employed to providea weather tent ea L ther Asjbest'shownfinfFigure4; the" slat""3|l ispresei' 'tly securefdto the legs H *of the "brackets it by he ii'fibWiIi fmeans: aOne "or more tabs '32, eacheecuredto ewe-eleven by any desirable means, may' 'extend' laterally therefrom. Each abis provided with an aperture"33* andeachileg ti les-provided-withanotclrrtkwhich aligns'with aperturesffiawhenslat' '3 9 *lies 'along the legs I l asshowiririfli igures' l, "2' and" 3. fiat-assembly; a rodfl may be passed through *the faperturesfit; the rod extending across thespacdiegs H and resting" in notchesi3 4. Thus it-is apparent that thsIat SjJ may-'beeas-ily secured to 'the legs l-firega'rdless ofthesp'acingbetweenthebrackets simply by "inserting" the rod 35" through the alignd apertures and' notches.

'f f'te feriin g now toFigure 1', it will he seenfthat each-slat fhas mterlocking engagement with-ad:- mining slats limitexten'sion' of'the' lazy -tong l e-to'the'msitiomshown. This interlocking en gagement also girovides' 'a' weather tightjointso I that a--wind'ew-" to which the awningi-"i-s-seeured will be completely-protected ircmrthe elements.

@he eneans presently empleyed -toactuate my improvedrawning is-herein-= shown to comprise-a cord fli secured to'the lowermost pivot 20. cordimaiyi be: trained over/ a pulley 3-T inconventional manner i to -'provide "a depending 1 portion which :mayihepiilled downwardly-to actuat9=-the awning. v

showni in Figure 3,-pulling=-orr-the cord 3-6 will cause: the lazy tong links to collapse to ward the support i l A's'thelinks collapseand' the :pivotsc2 flamove toward each otherean'd toward the. pivotr22 the links .21, 28 which 'are" secured to-ithe. fingers 24' will cause theeslats' 2| to rotate simultaneously about respective pivots. Slat 2 3 isrOtatedsimultaneously with the--slats-"-2l by a'etionof thecurvedlink 26. 'l hus'it'w-ill-be seen that-the awning; maybe partially'ra-isedto admit more *light to the" window but it" willisti'll offer some protection" fromthe elementsalid i TQII 1 5 3 t 1 ver ad sunifi eir. p e. as. il u trat infrfigure' 2 ,;my novel awningmay be raised ..com-

4 tion to the window in the manner of the conventional canvas awning.

As mentioned heretofore, the leg ll of the bracket 0 is pivoted to the leg l2 at I5. This construction provides for varying the angle of the extended awning with respect to the window frame.

The means contemplated for securing the stationary slat 30 to brackets [0 to provide for varying-the:- spac-ing ::=b.etweenthe *brackets; has been "descriibemwtiarhiillustratedi' Figureie- .However. with the finger construction illustrated in Fig- James 1, 2, 3 and 6, each awning would require the slats thereof to be custom made to provide the "25" correct spacing between the fingers.

liii qrcgfi illustrates a finger construction which may be moved longitudinally of the slat to prowide -whatever- -spacing is required. As clearly showne-in the drawing, the finger comprises a lower portion 38 and an upper portion 39 adapted to Joe clam ed about a'slat. Ends 40 and .IM respectively :oj f the upper-and" lower portionzare formed "to interlock with 1' each other andthe opposite enfds of both portions are" adaptedito' 1b e secured together "'by fastening means '41 The leading edge of a respective sIat-Eiiis'adapted to". seat" in a *groove Alia inthe lower 'porti0n" 38 and the trailing edge'orsuch" slati's-adaptedto seatina groove *4'0b in'theupper portion Although vonly-theconstruction--01? finger 241s shown 'irr F-igure- '5, itw'ill be apparent thatj fing er 2'5 is also'formed'in-a simiilarmarmer.

Figure 6- illustrates my inventi-on applied to: a drop'awning' fOi"C10'Sing"6ff';0ne' endof a IJOIChfDl the-like. Brackets-42, having depending'track portions 43,-"may1bespaced ap art-from each other andsecured between the ceiling Mendthefloor 35. In -this' construction, the lazy tongs-aremot pivotally secured to the bracketsbuticarryo-olleg's 4 8 which ride--in---the tracks BS. *The operating 4 cords 41' maybe secured'to the lowermost-intermediate pivots or the lazy tongs, "and it will'be evident from the previous description that the slats will -be moved to "the 'dot-dash "position shown as thecord is pulledup.

"In view of the foregoing it will-be apparent to those slrilied' irrtheartthat "I'have accomplished at least 'the -principal object' of my "invention and it will -a1so be"8 pparent to those sk-i1led"'in' -;th e art"-that the embodiments herein described "may be variously changed and modified, withoutdetractible lazy tongs, the pivoted ends of said-links,

at.onesideiofsaiddazytongsbeingpivotally-ecnnected .tQrespectiVe ones .of vsaiditail :pieees,,-=and a igluralityoflink members .respectivelypivotally connected at one end to the aforesaid pivotal connectionsbetween the slat (tail; piec esgsa nd lagy ton sta d.attheirgoppositeends.toadjoinin -11 "pieces, whereby said slats arer tatahle. imgppd t d rect qnsm h ir niveta c n ection aiu a y t ne$-.re p tiv ly=bg ext nsi n and ,contrac tion, ofthelatter movement .of SQLQLJQQQQQI-igs to 5-. n i esti ne h edinasaiasacwa m series pf pressed pivotally eQnnQcted links to form.

anlzextensible and contractibleslazy tongs; r the erm nal e ds of wo.adioininaisubs n ia rlparr llel: links-sa e 13 lof .saidlazy tongs-. beins pivotally, mountedinspaced relation to said ifixed upp rt, the'rpivoted endsof saidlinks at one-side of said lazy tongs being pivotally connected to respective ones of said tail pieces, and a plurality of link members respectively pivotally connected at one end to the aforesaid pivotal connections between the slat tail pieces and lazy tongs, and at their opposite ends to adjoining tail pieces, whereby said slats are rotatable in opposite directions on their pivotal connection to said lazy tongs respectively by extension and contraction of the latter, movement of said lazy tongs to extended position from said fixed support extending said slats to transversely substantially edge-toedge relation, and movement of said lazy tongs to contracted position towards said fixed support collapsing said slats into substantially parallel superposed relation.

3. A foldable slat-type awning, comprising a series of slats, each having a tail piece extending transversely therefrom, a fixed elongated trackway, a pantograph support for said slats comprising a series of crossed pivotally connected links to form an extensible and contractible lazy tongs, the pivoted ends of said links at one side of said lazy tongs being pivotally connected to respective ones of said tail pieces and each of said pivoted ends having a guide member slidably fitting in said trackway to cause said lazy tongs to extend and contract in line with said trackway, and a pluralit of link members respectively pivotally connected at one end to the aforesaid pivotal connections between the slat tail pieces and lazy tongs, and at their opposite ends to adjoining tail pieces, whereby said slats are rotatable in opposite directions on their pivotal connection to said lazy tongs respectively by extension and contraction of the latter, movement of said lazy tongs to extended position extending said slats to trans versely substantially edge-to-edge relation, and movement of said laz tongs to contracted position collapsing said slats into substantially parallel superposed relation.

4. A foldable slat-type awning, comprising a fixed support secured in position adjacent to a frame opening, an uppermost slat and a series of additional slats, each of the slats having a tail piece extending transversely therefrom, the tail piece of said uppermost slat being pivotally connected to said support, a pantograph support for said additional slats comprising a series of crossed pivotally connected links to form an extensible and contractible lazy tongs, the terminal ends of two adjoining substantially parallel links at one end of said lazy tongs being pivotally mounted in spaced relation to said fixed support, a link pivotally connected between the tail piece of said uppermost slat and one of said parallel links, the pivoted ends of said crossed links at one side of said lazy tongs being pivotally connected to respective ones of the tail pieces, on said additional links, and a plurality of link members respectitely pivntallx cozmsctediat finfi-enfiiltfldihgaforgv Said p v l nn ctinnsmetweenz heiadditinnal slatrtail n cesiandwlazyztongsrsand their-"opp site endsirtoaadjuiningitaihpiecesh reby a1liljof aid slats arerrotatableiin:opposite,directions on h ir pivntaleonnection: respectively lbysextensionanddcontractioneofrsaid ,lazyatong-s movement of said.) lazy. tongsetoz; extended. :positiomfrom said fixed support extending; allvofsaidz-slats :toi transversely. substantially edgeeto edge relation, rand movement rofvsaid. lazy: tongs to :contracted: posi--- tion towards: said I fixed suppont collapsingwalh of said; slats: into .rsubstantially parallel ='superposed relation: 5; A z foldable slatstypa awning; :comprising a series of slats each having laterally off-set portions at its longitudinal edges and each having a tail piece extending transversely therefrom, a pantograph support for said slats comprising a series of crossed pivotally connected links to form an extensible and contractible lazy tongs, the pivoted ends of said links at one side of said lazy tongs being pivotally connected to respective ones of said tail pieces, and a plurality of link members respectively pivotally connected at one end to the aforesaid pivotal connections between the slat tail pieces and lazy tongs, and at their opposite ends to adjoining tail pieces, whereby said slats are rotatable in opposite directions on their pivotal connection to said lazy tongs respectively by extension and contraction of the latter, movement of said lazy tongs to extended position extending said slats to transversely substantially edge-toedge relation with the off-set portion of one interengaging with the off-set portion of an adjoining slat to limit extension of said lazy tongs, and movement of said lazy tongs to contracted position collapsing said slats into substantially parallel superposed relation.

6. In an awning structure comprising a plurality of slats having means for moving the same to adjusted positions, said slats each having transversely bent longitudinal edges extending in opposite directions, the combination of a strap overlying one surface of said slat and having a recessed portion slidably receiving one of the transversely bent edges of said slat, and a second strap transversely overlying the opposite surface of said slat and having a recessed portion slidably receiving the other transversely bent slat edge, and means for releasably connecting adjacent end portions of said straps together at the opposite longitudinal edge portions of said slat, whereby said slat may be clamped between said straps at various positions longitudinally of the slat.

7. In an awning structure comprising a plurality of slats having means for supporting them adjacent to a window or door opening, said slats each having transversely bent longitudinal edges extending in opposite directions, the combination of a strap overlying one surface of said slat and having a recessed portion slidably receiving one of the transversely bent edges of said slat, and a second strap transversely overlying the opposite surface of said slat and having a recessed portion slidably receiving the other transversely bent slat edge, said slats having interconnecting portions for releasably connecting adjacent end portions thereof together at one longitudinal edge portion of said slat, and releasable securing means for releasably connecting opposite adjacent end portions of said straps at the opposite longitudinal edge portion of said slat, whereby said slat may be clamped between said straps at various positions longitudinally of the slat.

8. An awning structure comprising a pair of supports secured to opposite sides of a window or door opening, each having an arm extending laterally and outwardly from a respective side of said opening and. each having a recess in its under surface, said recesses being generally aligned with each other, a slat extending cross-wise over said arms and having a pair of depending apertured tabs, the apertures in said tabs being generally axially aligned with each other and generally aligned with the recesses in said arms when said slat is positioned on said arms, and a cross rod extending through the apertures in said tabs and seating within said recesses for holding said slat assembled with said supports and against movement longitudinally along said arms.

JONATHAN W. KING, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 2,564,641 Drake et al Aug. 14, 1951 2,572,944 Mullin Oct. 30, 1951 2,577,482 Ray Dec. 4, 1951 2,581,827 Zveibil Jan. 8, 1952 2,601,707 Hyland July 1, 1952 

